Top Family Friendly Restaurants according to Yelp, Trip Advisor and Google Reviews

Head to these local spots where the whole family is welcome!

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

On nights when cooking sounds exhausting or you’re exploring the culinary scene as a fam, these restaurants are ready and excited to welcome the entire family. Order up shareables, dine on delicious local cuisine, or have the youngins select from the children’s menu – whatever you’re looking for, these spots have it in spades.

Breakfast

Nancy’s Breakfast and Lunch

4742 NW Gainesville Rd.
Wednesday - Monday | 7 AM - 1:30 PM

This cozy breakfast place is a warm and welcoming breakfast spot, open early for parents of early risers. Their retro interior makes you feel like you stepped into a classic diner, and their menu of traditional breakfast items tastes like a home-cooked meal. No fluff, no frills, just breakfast favorites.

LOCAL REC: Try their biscuits and sausage gravy, Nancy’s knows how to serve up this southern dish just right!

“That is the best breakfast I had I go there every other day with my kids.” - Tracey Ortiz, Google Reviews

"I also tried some of my daughters pancakes and they were delicious!! Fluffy, tall and golden brown, everything you want in a good pancake!" -Stephanie Van Hage, Google Reviews

Todd and Shelly’s Farm Fresh Cafe & Pub

2800 SW 24th Ave, Suite 101 & 102
Monday - Sunday | 8 AM - 3 PM

Enjoy indoor or outdoor seating at Todd and Shelly’s Farm Fresh Cafe & Pub. This restaurant prides itself on its locally sourced produce and fresh options, like its salads and fruit-topped French toast. The restaurant’s kid menu has plenty of tasty options, including their deliciously unique pancakes!

LOCAL REC: Parents, get there in time for the early bird special (7 AM - 9 AM) and enjoy free coffee!

“This is such a solid treat for a family outing. We’re a big group with a toddler and this restaurant is so warm and welcoming. Now for the food… just wow. Fresh, delicious and homemade.” - Sheena Ronca, Google Reviews

“You have to try this place!! Best fresh food in a family-friendly setting!!” - Michell B., TripAdvisor

Mimi’s Cafe

4414 Southwest College Rd.
Monday - Sunday | 7 AM - 9 PM

Known for their bakery, this location has a breakfast menu that deserves just as much praise as their pastries. With traditional options to twists on classics, like their cinnamon roll French toast, there’s really something for everyone. And, Mimi’s Cafe has fun with their kids' menu, offering playful dishes like their cup of dirt for dessert and their chocolate chip puppy pancakes that are shaped like a dog.

LOCAL REC: Mimi’s Cafe brings it home with their classic egg dishes; order their bacon, ham, and cheese omelet.

“Our family recently visited Mimi’s Cafe, and it turned out to be a delightful experience, especially for my kids! “ - Misty Garcia, Google Reviews

“Food was great. Kids' meal was excellent.“ - Peter L. Yelp

The Gathering Cafe

306 SW Broadway St.
Monday - Friday, 7 AM - 2 PM | Saturday, 8 AM - 2 PM

If you’re a family of sweet tooths, The Gathering Cafe is a great place to grab a sweet treat and relax. But if you want something more savory, try their oatmeal bar, breakfast burrito, or roasted red pepper wrap. Think you’ve tried it all? Their menu updates with the season to keep up with changing tastes and flavors.

LOCAL REC: The Gathering Cafe’s croffles are truly a one-of-a-kind bite, made of two French pastries pressed into waffles and topped with syrup

“My new favorite place, what a gem of a place! Great coffee, the nicest staff, yummy food, awesome ambience, and family-friendly! Fresh baked pastries and artisan coffees make this place worth it, plus the owner is amazing and so hospitable, she went above and beyond when I was there!” - Jessica A., Yelp

"If you are looking a good spot to come with your family and friends is a great place to gather. “ - Fernando Acosta, Google Reviews

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe

2427 SW 27th Ave.
Monday - Sunday | 7 AM - 2:30 PM

Affordable breakfast options, a welcoming environment, and multiple sweet and savory options, what’s not to like? Keke’s Breakfast Cafe is always updating its menu with new seasonal flavors and is ready to serve you with a smile. Their kids' menu has yogurt, eggs, pancakes, and French toast, or a combo platter for kiddos that want a little of everything.

LOCAL REC: Sip on their cold brew caramel coffee, new this summer to their breakfast menu!

“The greeting we received was lovely, staff are nice, they gave my two children some toys to play with and made them some glasses each with I thought was a lovely touch. Kids loved it. “ - SLAN24, TripAdvisor

“Delicious! Friendly staff... get there early gets crowded. Family-friendly restaurant, great for kids.” - Noelle W, TripAdvisor

Lunch

Terry’s Place

4121 NE 36th Avenue
Hours Vary

Terry’s Place has a menu of American bar food for everyone. If you have picky eaters who love just chicken fingers and fries, Terry’s Place has it and cooks them to perfection. Their daily specials also make it an affordable option for big families.

LOCAL REC: Terry’s Place is known to have the best chicken strips in town. Order them with one of Terry’s homemade sauces!

“Definitely a low-key place that's family-friendly, watch a game, play some pool, eat great food, and hang out with friends.” - Angela H., TripAdvisor

"This place is small on price and big on value. We enjoy going when they do kids eat free because in these tight times you have to be smart about saving money, and Terry's is the place to do it." - Heather S., Yelp

Big Lee’s

2611 SW 19th Avenue Rd
Monday - Sunday | 11 AM - 9 PM

Burgers and ribs and sandwiches, oh my! For the love of BBQ, swing by Big Lee’s for a hearty meal to feed the whole family. Even Big Lee’s sides — mac and cheese, fries, and street corn — are too good to pass up. This is a tasty spot for smaller families. Their outdoor and indoor seating is limited but perfect for lunch.

LOCAL REC: Their pulled pork is a must, but you have to get there early before they run out!

“We had a great bar-b-cue dinner this past weekend... better than my own.. lol... if you go get the burnt ends... they are the best on the planet! We had to feed 4 college hungry kids it was great “ - Deven, TripAdvisor

“The food and staff were amazing. We got the family meal to share and it was plenty of food for everyone! All of the meats were so tender and juicy. The children loved it as well, especially the Mac-n-cheese.“ - Kimberly Davis, Google Reviews

Taqueria Mi Ranchito

4279 W Silver Springs Blvd.
Monday - Thursday, 10 AM - 8:30 PM | Friday - Saturday, 10 AM - 9 PM | Sunday, 10 AM - 7 PM

Taqueria Mi Ranchito’s huge menu of authentic Mexican food offers families with differing tastebuds the opportunity to all find their new favorite bite. Not to mention that their colorful interior adds a layer of fun and liveliness to your meal. Their kids' menu features items like tacos, chicken fingers, enchiladas, and cheese quesadillas.

LOCAL REC: Make sure that your order has a tortilla- their corn tortillas are all homemade!

"Awesome place to come with family, servers are very clean and quick food came out delicious, hit the spot “ - MrNosSs, Google Review

“Food was great and our waitress was great. Me and the family enjoyed it a lot and found our new place to go. “ - Sonny Raw, Google Reviews

Horse and Hounds Restaurant

6998 US 27
Sunday - Thursday, 11 AM - 9:30 PM | Friday & Saturday, 11 AM - 10:30 PM

At Horse and Hounds Restaurant, their Bavarian pretzel is a great way to start off lunch. Follow it up with a beer cheese burger or shepherd’s pie to really lean into the restaurant’s Irish vibes. Swing by on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and catch some live music along with your meal.

LOCAL REC: Bringing your fur baby as well as your kids? Eat at Horse and Hounds’ outdoor patio. It’s pet-friendly!

“They have a great selection for kids meal and that's a huge plus for us also. We'll be going back often!! “ - Michell M., TripAdvisor

“Horse & Hounds is a classic Ocala family-friendly restaurant/pub with a casual, local vibe that’s easy to like. “- Jordan William, Google Reviews

Gator’s Dockside

3920 Southwest 42nd St.
Monday - Sunday | 11 AM - 12 AM

Whether you’re a surf or turf person, Gator’s Dockside menu has you covered. Great for parents of young ones, the large interior offers plenty of space for strollers, and the front entrance has arcade games, including crane games and racing games, for long waits (should they arise). And kids can order from the children’s menu, picking from mac n’ hot dogs, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, and mini cheeseburgers.

LOCAL REC: Order their gator tails from their gatorizers, the restaurant's fun take on appetizers.

“My wife and I, and our two young kids, ate at Gator's Dockside in Windermere about a week ago and had an awesome experience. The staff was incredibly friendly and interacted well with our kids. The food was outstanding. “ - Michael G. Yelp

“The atmosphere is superb. Excellent for everyone. Has a separate game room for kids or what to be "kids"- MJ778, TripAdvisor

Dinner

District Bar and Kitchen

110 SW Broadway St.
Sunday - Thursday, 11 AM - 10 PM | Friday - Saturday, 11 AM - 11 PM

District Bar and Kitchen has a great atmosphere, indoor and outdoor seating, and a relaxed environment that makes for a good family night out. Their limited menu gives guests a selection of tastefully curated meals like their ribeye sandwich and hot honey fried chicken. Want to grab something everyone can share? Try their deep dish pizza!

LOCAL REC: Consider swapping out your side of fries for their fried Brussels sprouts!

"They were great for the little in our group!! Really appreciate the crayons and kids coloring menu. And the incredibly tall high chairs!" - Ameelife, Google Reviews

"Amazing options for kids." - Stephanie Hopson, Google Reviews

The Crazy Cucumber

4414 SW College Rd.
Sunday - Thursday | 11 AM - 9 PM | Friday & Saturday, 11 AM - 10 PM

The restaurant’s rustic vibes and fairy lights offer a modern atmosphere with a bit of southern charm. Order a flatbread for the table, or Crazy Cucumber’s crazy favorites, to have a shareable bite. And don’t miss out on their incredible desserts: banana bread pudding, Oreo cheesecake, and chocolate chunk brownie!

LOCAL REC: Take a bite of their poke bowl, made with fresh ingredients. This dish is a refreshing choice.

“I recently visited The Crazy Cucumber with my daughter and granddaughter, and we had a fantastic time! The atmosphere was friendly and perfect for families. “ - Juan Rodriguez, Google Reviews

“Fun spot to grab lunch, dinner, or happy hour drinks with appetizers. They have a couple outdoor games near the bar outside, which can help if the wait is long or if you have fidgety kids with you.” - Susanna D., Yelp

Gator Joe’s Beach Bar & Grill

12431 SE 135th Ave.
Times Vary

After spending the day on the beach, grab something to eat at Gator Joe’s Beach Bar & Grill. Located right on the sands of Lake Weir, the restaurant gives you the chance to bite into locally sourced foods with a view of the water. Got a picky eater? Their kids' menu has traditional meals like cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and grilled cheeses.

LOCAL REC: We highly recommend getting their gator tail basket, which is locally caught and served fresh.

“Bring the kids. A large sandy beach to swim and frolic. Eat at covered tables on the water. Inside dining and a full bar is also available. “ - Doug P., Yelp

“Great for the whole family! Beach fun during the warm weather, and that includes corn-hole and volleyball “ - Jodell T., Yelp

Amrit Palace

3415 SW College Rd
Tuesday - Friday, 11 AM - 3 PM & 5 PM - 10 PM | Saturday & Sunday, 12 PM - 10 PM

For a bit of an elevated bite and a unique dining experience for the whole family, head to Amrit Palace. This location takes pride in its years of experience and authentic Indian cuisine. Choose from their signature dishes — chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, and lamb curry — for a decadent forkful.

LOCAL REC: When stopping in for a meal, you have to try Amrit Palace’s chicken tandoori.

“Food is awesome, tasty, perfect. Come here often with my kids, and they prefer food from here than any other area restaurant.“ - Raul T., Yelp

“The staff is so nice and welcoming and they are also wonderful with kids! My kids enjoy the Daal and mango ice cream whenever we go. I definitely recommend Amrit for lunch or dinner!" - Susanna D., Yelp

Swampy’s Bar & Grille

19773 E Pennsylvania Ave.
Monday - Thursday, 11 AM - 9:30 PM | Friday - Sunday, 11 AM - 10 PM

Swampy’s Bar & Grille's outdoor area is great for a family dinner. Located right on the water, the patio gives you a great view of the river, and the grass gives kids the opportunity to have some outdoor fun. Their menu has great options, including their gator bites and mahi sandwich, but also has good choices for kids, like their chicken sandwich and swampy burger.

LOCAL REC: You can’t go wrong with their fish taco options!

“Great place to bring the family. It is kid-friendly and grownup-friendly." - Cisco K, TripAdvisor

“Good is pretty good. Atmosphere is laid back with kids and families running around at the rivers edge. Food is good, service staff is friendly." - Jonathan M., TripAdvisor

Check out our food & drink page for more local options!

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Top Family Friendly Restaurants according to Yelp, Trip Advisor and Google Reviews

Breakfast

Nancy’s Breakfast and Lunch

Todd and Shelly’s Farm Fresh Cafe & Pub

Mimi’s Cafe

The Gathering Cafe

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe

Lunch

Terry’s Place

Big Lee’s

Taqueria Mi Ranchito

Horse and Hounds Restaurant

Gator’s Dockside

Dinner

District Bar and Kitchen

The Crazy Cucumber

Gator Joe’s Beach Bar & Grill

Amrit Palace

Swampy’s Bar & Grille

Find Your Family's Perfect Fit

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

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